Young Photographers Get Scotlland In Focus

6 March 2008

Two young Scottish photographers will take pride of place in an international exhibition celebrating heritage.

Courtney McIvor (9) and Jason King (10) got a taste of what it feels like to be the stars of the show at a special preview exhibition for Culture Minister Linda Fabiani today (Thursday March 06, 2008).

Jason and Courtney were chosen from around 260 entries to the PhotoArch competition. Now in its fourth year, the competition is open to all primary schools and the two winning images are Scotland’s contribution to the International Heritage Photographic Experience which is shown in 35 countries.

Linda Fabiani MSP, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, said: “Jason and Courtney have both captured something really wonderful in their pictures. Each shows a beautiful and tranquil snapshot of a different way of life in Scotland, even though they chose similar subjects – Jason with St Monans harbour and Courtney with the fishermans bothy at Crosskirk.

“I am proud to be among the first of many to see these pictures and congratulate Courtney and Jason on their achievement. As the only entry from the UK, I know that they will impress everyone who sees the IHPE exhibition and tempt many of them to see Scotland for themselves.”

Courtney said: “I’m so glad that I won because last time I got highly commended and I finally get to go to Edinburgh. I’ve always wanted to go there.

“Without our photos people will forget what old houses once looked like.”

Jason said: “I was excited to win the competition and I was also happy to win it for St Monans School.”

As well as the winning entries, the Minister also saw the work of 12 finalists from across the country. All of the Scottish entries can be viewed online at www.photoarch.org.uk.

Ms Fabiani added: “The only direction that PhotoArch gives is that the subject must relate to heritage. Having seen the finalists, it is clear that not only is there a huge amount of photographic talent amongst Scotland’s primary school pupils, but there is passion and interest in all aspects of our shared heritage. I would like to encourage everyone to log onto the PhotoArch website and see for themselves the incredible way that these young people have showcased Scotland.”

Both winners received Historic Scotland Family membership and a digital camera for themselves and one for their school.

Notes for editors
·Electronic images of the prize giving, winning and shortlisted entries are available from Lesley Brown by emailing ·Lesley.brown@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or Abigail Daly at ·Abigail.Daly@scottishcivictrust.org.uk. Additional images of the winners and their families and the judging panel are also available.

·Additional quotes from the judges are also available. The judging panel was made up of Ray Entwistle, Chairman of the Scottish Civic Trust, John Graham, Chief Executive of Historic Scotland, and Andy O’Brien, Picture Editor of the Scotsman.

·Jason King’s entry was submitted by St Monans Primary School in Fife and Courtney McIvor’s by Reay Primary School’s After School Club in Caithness.

·PhotoArch is an annual competition coordinated by the Scottish Civic Trust and is open to all primary school children. It encourages young people to take an interest in buildings, heritage and archaeology. Schools were encouraged to use Doors Open Days in September as an opportunity to take photographs of buildings not normally open to the public. Doors Open Days is part of Scotland’s contribution to European Heritage Days. It is funded by Historic Scotland and coordinated by the Scottish Civic Trust.

·Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government charged with safeguarding the nation’s historic environment. The agency is fully accountable to Scottish Ministers and through them to the Scottish Parliament.

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